Türkiye-Malaysia Finance Summit 18-19 June 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye
Türkiye-Malaysia Finance Summit 18-19 June 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye
ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE – The Annual Malaysia–Türkiye Finance Summit 2025, co-hosted by the Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM) and the Association of National Development Finance Institutions in Member Countries of the Islamic Development Bank (ADFIMI), concluded successfully on 19 June 2025 at the prestigious Istanbul Financial Center. Held over two days from 18–19 June, the summit convened high-level policymakers, financial institutions, and development experts to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and explore shared growth in sustainable finance, digital innovation, and green energy. The summit brought together more than 100 key figures from government bodies, development finance institutions (DFIs), banks, and the private sector.
Held under the theme of "Empowering Development Finance Institutions for Sustainable Future" the summit served as a vital platform for promoting joint development strategies, green finance innovation, and sustainable urban and energy initiatives.
This summit not only underscores the commitment of Malaysia and Türkiye to sustainable development but also sets the stage for collaborative action that resonates on a global scale, reflecting the shared responsibility of all nations in securing a prosperous and resilient future for all.
The Summit was officiated by Mr. Metin Özdemir, Chairman of ADFIMI and CEO of Ziraat Participation Bank, with a keynote address from Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Center of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur.
Summit Highlights
Day 1: 18 June 2025
The opening day featured four major Insight Forums and two keynote addresses:
- Insight Forum 1 focused on Green Finance and Sustainable Investing, spotlighting ESG frameworks and the role of green bonds.
- Keynote Address by Prof. Dr. Murat Yülek, Rector of OSTİM Teknik University, on Green Developmental Finance.
- Insight Forum 2 explored Decarbonization Strategies for Emerging Markets, featuring panelists from Türkiye’s Development Investment Bank and Golden Global Bank.
- Keynote Address by Ir. Haji Mohd Prasad Hanif, Secretary General of ADFIM, on The Role of DFIs in Malaysia.
- Insight Forum 3 delved into Digital Transformation and Sustainability, with insights from Bank Rakyat, TAKASBANK, and FSMV University.
- Insight Forum 4 covered Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, led by experts from TKDK and Ankara University.
The day concluded with a Networking Session and a Gala Dinner hosted by ADFIMI.
Day 2: 19 June 2025
Day Two continued the momentum with two more Insight Forums, a keynote speech, and the closing session:
- Insight Forum 5 addressed Sustainable Urbanization and Smart Cities, featuring panelists from İLBANK, CIDB Malaysia, Ernst & Young, and Istanbul Ticaret University.
- Insight Forum 6 focused on Renewable Energy and Energy Transition, encouraging Malaysia–Türkiye collaboration in green technology, with contributions from SETA Foundation, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
- Keynote Address by Dr. Ahmet Faruk Aysan, Professor and Associate Dean at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, emphasized innovation in finance for global sustainability.
- The Summit concluded with Closing Remarks by ADFIM Council Member, Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, outlining future areas of engagement and continued cooperation.
Strategic Outcomes
- Shared commitment to green development, climate resilience, and inclusive urbanization.
- Enhanced cooperation between development finance institutions in areas such as Islamic finance, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy.
- Strengthened business linkages through bilateral networking and sector-specific discussions.
The summit underscored Malaysia and Türkiye’s commitment to advancing economic cooperation through green and inclusive finance. Strategic engagements between stakeholders opened up pathways for future MoUs, project financing collaborations, and technology exchange.
Organizer Statements
Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting President & Group CEO of SME Bank Malaysia, remarked:
“This summit not only reinforces our financial and institutional partnerships but also demonstrates the leadership roles both countries play in sustainable development.”
Mr. İlhami Öztürk, Secretary General of ADFIMI, added:
“We are proud to see this summit evolve into a transformative platform for long-term economic collaboration between Malaysia and Türkiye.”
About the Summit
The Annual Malaysia–Türkiye Finance Summit is a flagship engagement designed to foster high-level dialogue, business matchmaking, and institutional partnerships between both countries. The 2025 edition, held at the Istanbul Financial Center, emphasized practical strategies for building sustainable, green, and inclusive economies.
We would like to thank our sponsors HALKBANK, ZİRAAT KATILIM BANK and EMLAK KATILIM BANK for this successfully completed conference.
